Matt Ryan defended Patrick Mahomes’ self-proclaimed ‘dad bod’ after fans mocked the Chiefs star earlier this week.
The former Falcons quarterback, who officially retired from the league last month, said he agreed with Mahomes’ comment that he has “a great body” for a quarterback.
“I had a dad bod for most of my career, so I agree with Patrick on that,” Ryan told Mail Sport at the Sports Business Awards in New York City on Wednesday.
“The proof is in the performance,” he continued, referencing Mahomes’ three Super Bowl victories with Kansas City.
“His performance has been better than anyone else in the last five or six years, so I think he’s doing well.”
Matt Ryan defended three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes’ ‘dad bod’
“I had a dad bod for most of my career, so I agree with Patrick on that,” Ryan told Mail Sport.
Mahomes, who previously revealed his love for Chick-Fil-A and Chipotle, returned to the field for OTAs on Tuesday after earning a third Super Bowl ring in February.
“Dad is in full swing,” one fan wrote on social media as footage emerged of the signal-caller arriving at Chiefs headquarters.
However, Mahomes defended himself in an interview with TIME last month.
“I have a great body for a quarterback,” he told the outlet.
“You have to have some padding in there to withstand the hits we take.”
Mahomes was seen arriving at Chiefs headquarters on Tuesday for OTAs
In an interview last month, the father of two said he has “a great body” for a quarterback.
“You have to have some padding to withstand the hits we take,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ryan has been embracing his dad’s body since he left the NFL.
“As long as I can remember, all I ever wanted to do was play professional sports,” Ryan said in a video posted to his social media accounts in April. “The Atlanta Falcons gave me that opportunity.”
He threw for 62,792 yards and 381 touchdowns over his 15-year career, which was spent primarily as the face of the Falcons during the most successful era in franchise history.
Ryan had not appeared on an NFL field since a solitary disappointing season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022.
Last season, Ryan worked as an analyst for CBS and received a standing ovation when he called a game in Atlanta.